Device attachable to a bicycle to allow stabilizing of a learning rider

Abstract

A device is provided which is readily mountable to the rear axle and frame of a bicycle and provides a graspable distal end to be held by a person walking or running alongside or just behind a bicycle on which another person is learning how to ride. The device includes three substantially tubular elements connected to each other by a single bolt, washer and nut assembly, and the entire device is mounted in a three-point manner to the bicycle thereby ensuring a strong rigid connection thereto. In one aspect of the invention, the person helping stabilize the rider grasps a suitably textured grip aligned with the plane of the bicycle frame. In another aspect of the invention, one particularly suitable for use by children or when the person learning to ride the bicycle is rather heavy, a pair of grips are mounted transversely of the plane of the bicycle to facilitate a two-handed grasping of the device by the helper.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device attachable to a bicycle to enable a helper walking or running alongside or behind the bicycle to provide stability and support to a rider learning to ride the bicycle, the device comprising:   a first element comprising a pair of arms having distal ends formed to attach to a rear axle of the bicycle and an oppositely directed connection arm;   a second element having a first end formed to attach to the bicycle beneath a seat thereof and a second end formed to attach to the connection arm of the first element; and   a third element having a connection end formed to attach to the connection arm of the first element and a graspable distal end,   wherein the first element is of substantially tubular integrated form,   wherein said pair of arms are arms of a tube bent to a U-shape,   wherein the connection arm is also tubular and is welded to an outside center of the U-shape, and   wherein each of the distal ends of the pair of arms is flattened and formed to have an open end slot of a width sized to receive the rear axle.   
     
     
       2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: the third element is tubular and has an outside diameter sized to be closely and slidingly received into the connection arm of the first element, and has an elbow such that a distal end is inclined at a selected angle relative to the connection end.   
     
     
       3. The device according to claim 2, wherein: the second element is formed of a tube flattened at both ends, each flattened end being provided with a hole for connection thereat.   
     
     
       4. The device according to claim 3, further comprising: a first connection means for simultaneously connecting the first, second and third elements to each other.   
     
     
       5. The device according to claim 4, further comprising: a second connection means for connecting the pair of arms of the first element to the rear axle of the bicycle following the reception of respective portions of the rear axle into the open slots.